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M is for Motivation

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As an entrepreneur, you need to be highly motivated if you want to be successful.

Richard Branson's A to Z of Business: M is for Motivation

When you’re starting up a company, and for the first couple of years afterward, there are a lot of long nights and stressful days, and a heavy workload. You have to be able to give the job everything you’ve got, or it will easily get the better of you.

Over the years, I’ve conditioned myself to get up every day and keep things going, despite the odds often being stacked against us.

richard branson necker island rooftop

Image by Take Aim Photography

You need to understand what your main motivation is so you can focus your efforts on reaching these goals. Then structure your job so that you can spend as much time as possible turning this energy to your company’s advantage.

And once you know what your own motivations and aspirations are, you should encourage your employees and colleagues to discover theirs. Together, if you approach work with energy and commitment, you’ll find that there’s little that you can’t accomplish.

virgin_richard_branson_colombia virgin mobile team

Image from Virgin Mobile Colombia

What’s the best way to keep motivated? Picture yourself at 90 years old, sitting in a comfortable chair, asking yourself: ‘what have I done in my life?’ We should all aim to look back at life with no what-ifs, and be proud of what we’ve achieved.

My top motivator has been building businesses that I’m proud of: from my Student magazine days, through to our latest start-ups today. I have never gone into any business purely to make money. If money is your only motive, then I believe you shouldn’t launch the business at all.